DirecTV will allow customers to opt out of local TV stations and pay a lower monthly rate.
NextTV reports that customers who decide not to pay for local stations through DirecTV will receive discounts of $12 per month.
“Consumers have been voting with their wallets for years, because pay TV — as currently set up — is very expensive and limits their options,” said Rob Thune, chief content officer at DirecTV, speaking with NextTV. “Our new ‘No Locals’ package enables customers to take an important step forward in eliminating certain types of content they may no longer be interested in watching and better balance the price they are willing to pay.”
The discount likely stems from DirecTV’s retransmission battle with Tegna. DirecTV proposed offering local stations on a selective basis.